Tips for Maintaining Your Dumpster Enclosure

This Waste Caddy Will Make Your Job So Much Easier!
This Waste Caddy Will Make Your Job So Much Easier!

Tenants judge their landlord and property management staff based largely on how well the crew takes care of the little day-to-day things like trash removal. When dumpster enclosures are messy or hazardous, a negative tenant attitude builds steam.

As one janitorial service puts it, it’s critical to maintain a clean and efficient dumpster enclosure for the sake of your reputation as well as the health and safety of your staff.

• Regular staff does a better, more efficient job compared to a high turnover situation.

• Tenants do a better job of cleaning up after themselves when the grounds are kept tidy.

• Loose trash can lead to city fines, negative online reviews, and tenant complaints.

Efficient Ways to Keep Dumpsters Clean

Good trash solutions start with good equipment. Consider what your staff must do to wheel dumpsters around the property for collection. Are you asking valued employees to risk back injuries and muscle pulls by pushing tons of garbage?

One of our clients says her waste caddy has essentially given her an extra employee. “I used to have two guys tied up four hours a day,” she said. Now that the job can be done by one employee, “the other guy is available to do more important things, like respond to resident requests 8 or more hours every week.”

Ultimately, motorized equipment that moves dumpsters, like our lineup of Waste Caddies, enables your staff to work safely and efficiently while also improving tenant morale and retention.

Do yourself a favor and reduce the risk of heavy equipment injuries while taking better care of your waste management with waste caddies from DJ Products.

The Internet of Things Comes to Warehousing and Logistics

The Internet of Things Can Be Very Valuable to Businesses
The Internet of Things Can Be Very Valuable to Businesses

The Internet of Things(IoT) has quickly proven its value in the world of business. Companies are integrating IoT within the framework of their operations to make the entire production process more efficient and transparent. This integration is also being extended towards the warehousing and logistics framework of companies for finding new material handling trends and their solutions.

At DJ Products, we have made enormous progress in adopting IoT solutions for product warehousing and logistics. Various types of sensors and RFID tags have been incorporated into the material handling equipment. This has resulted in a number of advantages:

1. Faster Movement

The speed of the entire operation has increased greatly, thanks to instantaneous information being relayed across the various teams involved in the operation. No more lag time between individual steps of the operation that can bottleneck the overall process.

2. Error Free Process

The addition of sensors and alarms means that the chances of an error occurring in the middle of an operation are virtually eliminated.

3. Around the Clock Monitoring

Thanks to sensors being integrated into vehicles, which carry data back to the control center, we are always aware of exactly what speed the vehicle is traveling at, how much load it’s carrying and the directions it needs to take, making the entire process highly transparent and providing constant material handling trends information.

So the next time you need help with material handling solutions that are safe and cost effective, call on the experts at DJ Products, and we’ll bring you the most cutting edge motorized vehicle solutions that are able to handle the most cumbersome equipment with ease!

Top Tips to Improve Performance and Efficiency in Warehouses

Tips to Improve Performance and Efficiency in Warehouses
Tips to Improve Performance and Efficiency in Warehouses

Warehouse management can be a tricky operation, requiring great concentration and skill, and lots of inventory lists that need to be checked and re-checked to make sure all the material that is shifted in and out of the warehouse is the right product and quantity. Here are some warehouse management tips that can make the entire process simpler and more efficient:

1. Confirm Advanced Shipping Notice

An “Electronically transmitted Advanced Shipping Notification” is a cutting-edge shipping solution that many distributors have still not started started to implement. Using the electronic option allows for more efficient planning of the distribution procedure, and reduces delays and disruptions.

2. Employ Bin Locations

Making use of bin locations allows products to be located much faster, since it allows you to locate the product on the basis of sales volume, which means having to do less legwork to retrieve the key items that are sold the most.

3. Transparency of Operation

Work done within the warehouse must be as transparent as possible, with your keeping track of every piece of inventory that is sold or bought. This allows for easy spotting of mistakes and errors, and rapid correction.

4. Have an Emergency Response Plan

Along with the usual warehouse management tips, remember to keep alternative plans in place for potential fires, lockouts, and other hazards that can occur unexpectedly and disrupt work flow.

The next time you have to deal with warehouse inventory, remember to call on DJ Products for all of your moving and packing needs. Our range of vehicle products offer the latest in cutting-edge solutions to make your job and life easier!

The Business Case for Investing in Equipment that Prevents Back Injuries

DJ Products Waste Caddy is an Investment in Your Employees' Health
DJ Products Waste Caddy is an Investment in Your Employees’ Health

Data from an older article stated that on average, nearly 50 workers are injured during any given minute of the work week. The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) published a 2002 report that workplace safety programs benefit both your company and your employees. Fast-forward to today. This data makes a good business case that using WasteCaddy dumpster movers to prevent back injuries is a wise investment.

Safety by the Numbers

In that article, workplace injuries resulted in $128 billion in losses in 1996, which equated to 25 percent of pre-tax net profits. Even in today’s business environment, indirect costs can inflate direct costs by a factor of 20. Some of these include:

• Hiring, training and paying replacement labor

• Reduced productivity

• Investigation time and implementation of corrective measures

• Absenteeism and low employee morale

• Poor reputation in the community and industry

Many of these costs can continue long after the actual occurrence of the injury.

Raising Safety Awareness

The report cited a survey showing that employers buy into the importance of heightened safety practices regarding business and human costs. The top two reasons given were the cost of workers’ compensation insurance and the “right thing to do.”

There is real-life data to support the cost-effectiveness of safety programs:

• Companies have seen a return of up to $6 for every $1 spent on workplace safety.

• After investing in their safety program, a West Virginia coal mining company saw its workers’ compensation rate drop to $1.28 per $100 in payroll, compared to a competitor’s rate of $13.78.

Reduce Back Injuries with Electric Tugs from DJ Products

Our WasteCaddy dumpster mover enables a single employee to safely and easily handle one of the more labor-intensive tasks in the workplace. Call 800.686.2651 to learn more.

UVA Weighs In on Preventing Workplace Injury with Push/Pull/Lift Tips

Crisis – Overcoming an Emergency with Disaster Plan
Avoid Back Injuries On The Job

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, back injuries make up 20 percent of all workplace injuries. Even more significant is the fact that 80 percent of those injuries involve the lower back and material handling duties.

Back injuries often result in chronic pain which can flare up at any time, either with or without re-aggravation. The Environmental Health & Safety Department of the University of Virginia cites the top five risk factors as:

1. Sloppy posture

2. Poor physical condition

3. Lack of proper body mechanics

4. Poor lifting techniques

5. High-energy jobs

UVA Offers Tips to Avoid Back Injuries

• Pushing and sliding are preferable to lifting.

• Don’t lift objects that exceed one-third to one-half of your own body weight.

• Avoid twisting and stretching to reach or move loads.

• Observe the “safe lifting zone” between your shoulders and knees. If an object is lower, bend your knees and lift with your legs. If it’s higher, use a stool or stepladder to reach it.

• Perform a few basic stretches before and after lifting or maneuvering an object, and continue stretching periodically throughout the day to prevent stiffness.

• Clear any obstacles in your path.

• Wear slip-resistant shoes.

• Support your spine by tightening your abdominal muscles.

• Breathe normally throughout the task. If you find yourself holding your breath, get assistance.

• Use appropriate equipment when necessary.

Save Your Back with Dumpster Movers from DJ Products

Our battery-powered dumpster movers have been described by clients as “like having another employee on staff.” Use our convenient online chat feature to talk to our sales engineers about the best dumpster mover for your application.

Tips for Assuring Your Warehouse is Fully Staffed for the 2016 Holiday Period

Glum businessman
Don’t Let Staffing for the Holidays Get You Down

Despite negative factors like bad weather, holiday sales in 2015 increased by three percent to just over $626 billion. The 2016 holiday season is just around the corner. Will you be ready to meet the demand?

Here are some helpful warehouse management tips to make sure your staff is ready to carry you through the holidays without missing a beat.

1. Hire More Help

Retailers aren’t the only ones who need to ramp up their manpower. Use last year’s numbers to determine how many more employees you need to handle the extra work. A temp agency can save time and money by providing pre-screened applicants.

2. Optimize the Warehouse Layout

Analyze the flow of your current warehouse layout. Will a boost in activity bring everything to a screeching halt? This is the time of year when you need maximum efficiency. Consider these steps to keep operations running smoothly:

• Increase the receiving area

• Designate a separate area for packaging

• Make sure all equipment is in good working order

• Add storage trailers and other resources as necessary

3. Be Prepared for Returns

The flip side of holiday sales is the return of extra products. Have a streamlined return process in place and make sure all employees are up to speed on policies and procedures.

Lighten the Holiday Load with Electric Movers from DJ Products

One of the best warehouse management tips is to provide employees with equipment that helps them perform safely and efficiently. Visit our website to learn more about our extensive selection of battery-powered tugs and pushers that will accommodate any material handling application.

Tech Will Never Replace the Personal Touch in Property Management

Why Have More Do Less? Make Your Workplace More Efficient.
Why Have More Do Less? Make Your Workplace More Efficient.

Today’s technology has developed to what was once considered the stuff of science fiction movies. Sleek, powerful devices like tablets and smartphones have become indispensable in both our personal and professional lives. But how is digital equipment for property managers compatible with the personal interaction that the job requires?

Property Management in the Digital Age

In one sense, high-tech devices are a perfect match for the business of property management, where customer service is a priority. Managers are more accessible than ever, allowing them to easily communicate with tenants and promptly handle requests.

According to the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), use of digital devices has resulted in a 45% increase in productivity and a 44% improvement in efficiency. Technology also provides helpful solutions such as online banking and virtual building tours that streamline many day-to-day activities.

While modern technology has become an indispensable element of property management excellence, it’s no replacement for the face-to-face interaction that has always been at the heart of the job. Rather than replacing personal contact, digital devices help property managers produce the efficiency expected by tech-savvy residents while freeing them up to spend time developing relationships.

Save Time, Money and Energy with Battery-Powered Dumpster Tugs

When it comes to equipment for property managers, battery-powered dumpster tugs from DJ Products should be near the top of your list. They enable a single member of your maintenance team to easily maneuver dumpsters across any type of surface, even inclines. Call 800.686.2651 or use the handy chat feature on our website to learn more from one of our helpful sales engineers.

A Philadelphia Bar Sparks a Dumpster War

DJ Products' Dumpster Caddy Makes Moving Easy
DJ Products’ Dumpster Caddy Makes Moving Easy

Residents and business owners on South Street in Philadelphia were excited this summer at the prospect of a new business coming to town. The new MilkBoy South Street location was supposed to be celebrated as a new hot spot for the up and coming bar scene in the area, but a dumpster seems to be a point of contention between the owners and those living and working around it.

Dumpster Problems

The placement of a dumpster on an otherwise dumpster-free street has drawn a lot of negative attention to the new MilkBoy location. According to city ordinances, it’s legal to have the dumpster where it sits, but it continues to be an eyesore for those who have to look at it every day. Residents and other business owners say that it destroys the aesthetic of the area and causes people to dump trash near it. Someone has even gone so far as to spray paint graffiti on the dumpster.

How It Could Have Been Solved

Moving a dumpster by yourself can be difficult enough with wheels, and darn near impossible if it doesn’t. With a specialized piece of equipment, such as the WasteCaddy dumpster mover, the bar owners could easily move their dumpster wherever they need it to be. Certain times of the day might call for the dumpster to be in a higher visibility area, but a dumpster mover could be used to place it somewhere out of sight when it’s not in use.

To learn more about our WasteCaddy dumpster mover, get in touch with DJ products at 1-800-686-2651.

North Dakota Offers Safety Grants – Could You Buy a Dumpster Mover?

Does Your Safety Grant Cover a Dumpster Caddy?
Does Your Safety Grant Cover a Dumpster Caddy?

As healthcare costs continue to spiral, companies are focusing on preventive measures to help reduce injuries and illnesses. In many cases, government agencies are offering financial incentives as encouragement for employers to implement workplace safety measures.

Promoting Ergonomic Safety in the Workplace

North Dakota administers an ergonomic initiative through the state’s Workplace and Safety (WSI) agency. The goal is to reduce the number of cumulative trauma injuries, which make up 35 percent of claims that were reported in North Dakota over the last five years.

One part of the initiative provides for a safety grant to be issued to qualified employers who participate in the program.

• The process begins when an employer submits an application.

• Once the application is approved, the employer selects a provider from the WSI network to perform an on-site assessment to identify problems, make recommendations and conduct training.

• If any equipment is recommended during the assessment, the employer completes the second part of the application requesting a safety grant.

• Upon approval of the application and completion of signed agreements between both parties, the employer purchases the equipment and submits the paid invoice for reimbursement.

Could You Use Your Safety Grant to Purchase a Dumpster Mover?

Many workplace injuries happen when moving heavy dumpsters by hand. One of our clients explains that a dumpster mover from DJ Products allows this task to be completed by a single person, so it’s like “having another employee on staff.”

Don’t let workplace injuries compromise employee productivity. Visit our website and let our friendly sales engineers help you find the right solution from our comprehensive selection of battery-powered movers and tugs.

 

Riding an Experiential Trend, Breweries Enter the Hotel Market

Use of Industrial Caddies Can Keep Your Employees Safe When Moving Heaving Objects Like Kegs
Use of Industrial Caddies Can Keep Your Employees Safe When Moving Heaving Objects Like Kegs

Breweries of all sizes seem to have found their niche somewhere in the market. Everything from global retailers to local micro-breweries see success, but one beer-maker has decided to take things a step further with a hotel theme based on brewery-related tourism.

Start of a Trend?

Stay and play destinations have been around for centuries, but few, if any, have been developed around the concept of a brewery. With micro-brews becoming more popular every year, it was probably only a matter of time before someone decided to try a destination brewery concept. What remains to be seen is if the first one will be a one-off experiment with questionable results, or if the hotel’s success leads to other micro- and macro-brewers designing their own beer-themed affiliated hotels. It’s likely that you will have an answer to that question within the next couple of years.

Unique Challenges for Brewery-Themed Hotels

Hotels that cater to a specialty clientele usually have to provide more to their guests to make up for the higher price. This can include hauling around more items, requiring more manpower, or specialized equipment that can do most of the heavy lifting. With a hotel attached to a brewery, chances are that many kegs of beer will need to be moved around, requiring the use of powered hotel carts. These carts can reduce staffing, cut down on service time, and reduce staff injuries considerably.

To find out more about our hotel maintenance solutions, give us a call at 1-800-686-2651. Our knowledgeable team can help you find the right product for any job – big or small.